UK armed forces intercept Russian shadow fleet in Channel, PM says
Summary
The UK armed forces stopped a Russian oil tanker called Smyrtos in the English Channel during a six-hour operation. The ship is part of a larger group of vessels known as Russia’s "shadow fleet," which helps Russia sell oil despite international sanctions.Key Facts
- UK Royal Marines and National Crime Agency officers boarded the Russian tanker Smyrtos early Sunday.
- The operation lasted six hours and included support from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy ships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
- The tanker Smyrtos is being held and monitored off the south coast of England.
- Russia’s shadow fleet includes over 700 vessels that help it sell 75% of its sanctioned oil.
- The UK has sanctioned more than 500 of these shadow vessels to stop them from entering UK ports and to block related financial services.
- The sanctions aim to reduce funds that support Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
- The UK worked closely with France during the operation, with French forces intercepting a similar tanker recently.
- French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed France’s military helped intercept a sanctioned Russian oil tanker with UK support.
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